Firefighters

A former Forest Service chief said agency mandates to aggressively suppress wildfires "at all costs" could be a factor in this year's deadly season. There have been 18 fireline deaths so far.

Utah State University and the Logan City Fire Department hold a stair climb every year to honor the 441 first responders that passed following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Friends and family share what they'll miss about Chris Andersen and Miles Elliott. The deaths have further shaken the wildland fire community, which has lost a number of firefighters this season.

Nathan Matthews, a 43-year-old from Nebraska, was hospitalized after a burnover on June 27 that killed three of his crewmates. He died from his injuries on Friday.

The publication covers how to handle relationships and childcare during the long summer months, and how to support firefighters reintegrating to family life when the season slows down.

On top of the dangers of fighting fires, research has connected wildland firefighting to serious diseases like lung cancer. Now, federal agencies are taking more steps to address those risks.

In other news, crews fighting the Iron Fire in Juab County may have been exposed to lead. And, target shooting is banned on wildlife management areas in over half of Utah's counties.

An advocacy group anonymously surveyed more than 800 wildland firefighters. Staffing woes and health worries were among the top issues.

In other news, crews made progress on the massive Cottonwood Fire but don't have the resources to put it out completely. And, the agency backing the Stratos data center project hired a new director.

Wildland firefighters face extreme conditions. For those who identify as LGBTQ, there are challenges beyond the fireline.